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Classical philosophical and literary text · source-linked collection

Zhuangzi 《庄子》

Because Zhuangzi often reasons through stories and paradox, this page preserves explanatory notes where a single line can otherwise be misunderstood.

3 verified lines1 linked authors7 connected themes

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3 curated lines
✓ Verified sourceBilingual

井蛙不可以语于海者，拘于虚也；夏虫不可以语于冰者，笃于时也。

Jǐng wā bù kě yǐ yǔ yú hǎi zhě, jū yú xū yě; xià chóng bù kě yǐ yǔ yú bīng zhě, dǔ yú shí yě.

Close English reading

You cannot speak of the sea to a frog in a well, constrained by its place; nor of ice to a summer insect, bound by its season.

Plain meaningPeople can be limited by the world they have experienced.

Source
Zhuangzi· Warring States period · Autumn Floods
Zhuangzi
Why it fitsPlace and time become metaphors for the limits that experience can place on understanding.
Original context and translation note
井蛙不可以语于海者，拘于虚也；夏虫不可以语于冰者，笃于时也。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

且举世誉之而不加劝，举世非之而不加沮。

Qiě jǔ shì yù zhī ér bù jiā quàn, jǔ shì fēi zhī ér bù jiā jǔ.

Close English reading

Praised by the whole world, he is not further encouraged; condemned by the whole world, he is not discouraged.

Plain meaningLet neither praise nor criticism control who you are.

Source
Zhuangzi· Warring States period · Free and Easy Wandering
Zhuangzi
Why it fitsIt describes an inner standard strong enough to survive both approval and rejection.
Original context and translation note
且举世誉之而不加劝，举世非之而不加沮。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

相濡以沫，不如相忘于江湖。

Xiāng rú yǐ mò, bù rú xiāng wàng yú jiāng hú.

Close English reading

Rather than moistening each other with foam, it is better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes.

Plain meaningSometimes the kinder choice is to let each other go and live freely.

Source
Zhuangzi· Warring States period · The Great and Venerable Teacher
Zhuangzi
Why it fitsIt contrasts mutual struggle in a depleted place with freedom in a larger world.
Original context and translation note
泉涸，鱼相与处于陆，相呴以湿，相濡以沫，不如相忘于江湖。

The full passage describes fish stranded when a spring dries up. The line is about freedom from a desperate condition, not casual indifference.

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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Zhuangzi3

Explore related themes

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CourageInner peaceLearningLetting goLovePerspectiveWisdom

Stories and arguments about freedom, perspective, judgment, limitation, and letting go. This page is a curated bilingual selection, not a claim to translate the complete source.

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